Here we go again. Two more commentaries beating the anti-business drum, one promoting higher taxes and another questioning the value of tax incentives for businesses. It’s like the movie “Groundhog Day.”

On Tuesday, January 18, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation held its first meeting of the Second Regular Session of the 130th Maine Legislature. The committee met for the purpose of reviewing reports completed by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA). The committee reviewed OEPGA’s reports on the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program (BETR), the Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) and the Maine Capital Investment Credit (MCIC). OPEGA completed these reviews in February 2020. 

On Wednesday, January 19, the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government as a public hearing on LD 383, An Act Concerning Small Wireless Facilities in Maine. This bill was introduced as a concept draft by Rep. Sophia Warren (D-Scarborough) more than a year ago. An amendment was introduced on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before the public hearing. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce submitted testimony in opposition to LD 383.

At its first work session of the Second Session of the 130th Legislature, the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing sharply divided along party line on two bills that hold significant cost consequences for all Maine employers, but particularly small businesses. With all eight Democrats on the committee voting to approve, and all five Republicans opposing, a majority of the committee approved amended version of LD 225, An Act Regarding the Treatment of Vacation Time upon the Cessation of Employment, sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor), and LD 607, An Act to Restore Overtime Protection for Maine Workers, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland).

With the Second Session of the 130th Maine Legislature in full swing and many important energy and environmental issues ahead, Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) is pleased to present two Legislative Preview forums in January. These forums are a chance for legislators, together with department heads and commissioners, to present their goals for the session and to engage with our members and hear their questions in a moderated discussion.

Airing live at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, The Bottom Line podcast features a wide variety of guests and presents interviews relevant to public policy priorities both in state and nationally, to economic recovery efforts of the pandemic, and to other significant issues of interest to Maine’s business community. In January, the show will host the following guests discussing these pertinent topics: